HERE’S WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN SORTING THROUGH YOUR OPTIONS

When it comes to big-screen movie viewing, it’s hard to beat a projector and screen setup. Home theater projectors and screens can deliver an image that measures 300 inches or more for incredibly immersive viewing experiences from the comforts of home.

If you’re interested in the best projector and screen setup for your home theater installation, the display size is just one of many factors to think about when making your choice. Let our experts at AV Specialists help you narrow down the options! Keep reading to learn about the key considerations to look for when choosing a projector and screen for your St. Petersburg, FL home.

SEE ALSO: What Makes a Spectacular Home Theater System?

CHOOSING THE BEST HOME THEATER PROJECTOR SETUP

RESOLUTION

If you want a cinematic experience that rivals the local movie theater, you’ll want to go with a true 4K projector that reveals the finest details and can even upscale HD sources. At four times the number of pixels, 4K resolution delivers sharper, crystal-clear visuals for big-screen viewing. You’ll also want to look for HDR-compatible models that offer expanded brightness, inky blacks, and richer colors.

BRIGHTNESS

Projector brightness is measured in lumens. The higher the lumen count, the brighter your picture will be. Generally, for projectors where ambient light can be controlled, you’ll need a minimum of 1500 lumens. However, if you plan to watch movies in daylight, you’ll need a home projector with a minimum of 2500 lumens so that your picture isn’t washed out by combating light in the room. Blackout curtains can help to block out ambient light and improve picture visibility.

LAMP OR LASER

If cost is a priority, you may lean toward lamp-based projectors as they’re lower in price than laser projectors. But if you’re looking for the absolute best in-picture performance, then laser is worth considering. Laser-based projectors offer longer-lasting brightness, improved color and contrast, and up to 20,000 hours of uninterrupted operation with no lamp replacement.

THROW DISTANCE

If you have no constraints on room and screen size, then long-throw projectors are ideal for a larger, immersive picture. However, short-throw projectors can still cast a display of 100+ inches, perfect for movie nights in home theaters that are limited in space. Consider an ultra-short-throw (UST) projector for an incredibly flexible installation! A UST 4K HDR projector like that from Sony sits just inches from the wall on a media cabinet or table and throws bright, vivid 4K HDR picture at up to 120 inches.

CHOOSING THE BEST SCREEN

SCREEN SIZE

Screen size and projector throw distance go hand-in-hand. But you must also consider factors like seating placement when choosing a screen size. If your screen is too large, you’ll risk strained eyes and necks. If your screen is too small, you’ll lose the benefits of 4K picture. A general rule of thumb is to place your screen 1.5 to 3 times the screen height distance from your seats.

MOUNTING

While fixed wall-mounted screens are a popular choice for dedicated home theaters, you have other options, too. Perhaps you want your screen to disappear when not in use. In that case, a motorized retractable screen may be best. Your retractable screen could live in a discreet cassette mounted to the ceiling and reveal itself at the touch of a button.

AMBIENT LIGHT

Think back to the lighting of your home theater or media room. Will you have control of ambient light in the room? If not, you’ll need an ambient-light-rejecting (ALR) screen that can limit the reflection of light coming from windows or light fixtures to avoid washed-out projection.

Screen Innovations’ Black Diamond is considered the world’s best ALR screen, offering a 900% increase in contrast over matte or gray screens. The optics in the Black Diamond screen also reduce reflected light on the walls, ceiling, and floor to create an immersive darkroom experience when lights are off.

For the ultimate home entertainment system, leave the setup details to the professionals at AV Specialists. We’ll select the right projector and screen setup based on your entertainment needs, room layout, and budget, and then install everything for you.

To learn more about our home theater services and solutions, contact us here or send us a message in the chat box below!